NAB, OPF join hands to protect expats from fraud
By Syed Irfan Raza
2025-01-31
ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF) on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a framework for mutual cooperation and strategic coordination to address issues and complaints of overseas Pakistanis related to property disputes, financial fraud and misuse of authority.
The main objective of the MoU was to create an efficient and collaborative mechanism whereby the OPF and NAB would jointly address and resolve grievances reported by overseas Pakistanis.
According to a press release, such grievances may encompass, without limitation, fraudulent practices in housing schemes, disputes pertaining to property possession, allotment and incidents of financial mismanagement or irregularities perpetrated by housing developers and private individuals.
Under MoU, a dedicated facilitation desk or cell at all NAB offices, including the head office, will be established to receive and process complaints referred by the OPF or overseas Pakistanis, directly. A helpline will be established between NAB and the OPF for constant liaison to address complaints.
Earlier, an OPF delegation gave a detailed briefing on the working of the OPF and issues faced by oversees Pakistanis.
On the occasion, the NAB chairman emphasised that overseas Pakistanis are a valuable asset of the country, and the bureau, in collaboration with the OPF, will take all possible measures to resolve their issues. He said NAB would ensure that those who cheated overseas Pakistanis would be given appropriate legal punishments.